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ideation

Storyboard

Storyboard helps teams collaboratively envision a desired future state or solution by visually mapping out the steps to achieve it. This method fosters shared understanding and identifies key milestones through a narrative approach.

45-90 min8-20 peopleHard
When to Use

Use Storyboard when you need to align a team around a future vision, explore potential solutions to a complex problem, or map out a project plan in a creative and engaging way.

How It Works

Solves: Lack of shared understanding of goals, difficulty visualizing future outcomes, linear thinking

Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to facilitate this method
  1. 1

    Step 1: Introduce the activity and the topic. Frame the challenge as 'The Ideal Future for [topic]' (5 minutes)

  2. 2

    Step 2: Divide participants into small groups of 3-4 and provide materials: flip chart paper, markers. (5 minutes)

  3. 3

    Step 3: Instruct groups to collaboratively define the ideal future state, identify key steps to get there, and visually represent each step on a separate sheet of paper. (25 minutes)

  4. 4

    Step 4: Give a 2-minute time warning. (2 minutes)

  5. 5

    Step 5: Have each group present their storyboard, narrating the story depicted in their visuals. (15-20 minutes per group)

  6. 6

    Step 6: Facilitate a group discussion to identify inspiring elements, recurring themes, and key insights from the stories. (10 minutes)

Facilitator Tips
  • Reassure participants that artistic skill is not required; stick figures and simple drawings are perfectly acceptable.
  • Encourage groups to use captions or brief descriptions to clarify their visuals.
  • Offer different presentation formats to keep participants engaged.
Variations
  • Use sticky notes instead of flip chart paper for individual contributions and easier rearrangement.
  • Incorporate a competitive element by having participants vote on the most inspiring or creative storyboard.
Source: GamestormingLearn more